The E-LAW Network: International Cooperation at its Best

In a world marked by sharp divisions, violence, threats, and distrust, E-LAW stands as a shining example of what is possible. Through the E-LAW network, people of different nations, races, religions, and cultures set aside their differences and work together to build a just and sustainable future.

Patricio Martin, Mexico; James Njelwa, Tanzania

Rodrigo Polanco, Chile; Karen Balcazar, Bolivia

E-LAW advocates are working towards a world where nations are brought together by their shared interests, rather than driven apart by their differences, where justice triumphs over violence, and where we all recognize that we share a single planet and must work together to protect it.

Many efforts at international collaboration fail. What makes the E-LAW network succeed? The following are key ingredients of more than a decade of successful collaboration between hundreds of grassroots advocates in 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific:

Participants in the network share common goals. With few exceptions, the E-LAW network is comprised of practicing lawyers working to protect the environment through law, and scientists supporting those lawyers. All participants are "public interest" environmental lawyers, so they are truly allies rather than just colleagues. By limiting the alliance to people working to protect the environment, E-LAW ensures that all people in the network share common interests and goals.

Participants share ownership of the network. E-LAW is not a U.S. organization operating overseas. E-LAW was co-founded by lawyers from 10 countries and operates horizontally. It does not have a home office or headquarters. At the request of the network, E-LAW U.S. serves as Secretariat. This does not confer special powers on E-LAW U.S. The horizontal structure shares ownership and makes the alliance successful.

The network uses effective communication tools. Electronic communications are at the heart of the E-LAW network`s success. E-LAW advocates are communicating, collaborating, and obtaining legal and scientific resources quickly and cost effectively through an electronic conference maintained at E-LAW U.S. The conference brings lawyers together in an on-going "virtual workshop," so lawyers from several countries can collaborate on their local efforts to protect the environment. The conference structure fosters genuine networking, rather than the isolation of point-to-point mail or a mailing list. When a lawyer requests assistance, roughly 300 colleagues can receive that request simultaneously. Everyone follows the responses and benefits from watching the exchange.

Advocates maintain local autonomy. E-LAW advocates ask the network for the information they need. This demand-driven model ensures that local advocates participating in the network retain strategic control of their work. These advocates know best how to protect the local environment through law, and this model respects their expertise and autonomy.

Privacy and security. E-LAW`s electronic network is private and E-LAW strives to keep communications secure. To participate in the E-LAW network, a lawyer must be nominated by someone in the network and be approved by the network.

Martin Garo, Papua New Guinea

Continuous, instant assistance. The E-LAW network operates 24 hours a day and help is immediate. Because postings to the electronic conference are not screened and there is no moderator, advocates around the world make postings on their own, at all hours. Thus, with time differences, an advocate may receive assistance before he or she even requested it!

A Network of People. Despite E-LAW`s focus on work and reliance on electronic communications, it is ultimately a network of people who care about each other. Advocates celebrate when a colleague has a baby and mourn when the network loses a friend. E-LAW`s annual meetings bring people together from throughout the network to forge and renew the friendships that make the network strong. This human element is the key to E-LAW`s success.

To build the ties that make the E-LAW network strong, E-LAW advocates meet face-to-face at annual meetings, regional workshops, and through the E-LAW U.S. Working Exchange Program

Our world is growing smaller and environmental challenges are truly worldwide. Now more than ever, we must build bridges across borders. The E-LAW network is doing its part by enabling hundreds of grassroots advocates in 60 countries to collaborate, share resources, and build a sustainable future.